One more for the road //Kamui Kobayashi gets set for what could be his last race

With the hurried announcement from Sauber that Esteban Gutiérrez will join Nico Hülkenberg for their 2013 driver lineup, Kamui Kobayashi is left without a race seat for next year.

Talking before the announcement, but knowing what it would contain, Kamui said: "This is Formula One. I need to work it out. Overall I think there is a bigger chance of a top team in 2014. We'll see. I'm working very hard to get a sponsor."

And paying tribute to him in their press release, Monisha Kaltenborn said: "Over the last three years Kamui has shown us he is not only a fierce competitor on the track, but also a wonderful person and fantastic team player. Every member of our team has the greatest respect for him, and his podium in Japan was a particularly emotional moment for all of us.

"This has not been an easy decision for us to take, but we have committed ourselves to a new beginning and our time with Kamui will come to an end after the final two races of the season. We wish Kamui all the best for the future."